Thank you very much. I'll report back common threads in the coming
weeks.

*** Featured

Is Microsoft Security Essentials supported on XP or not?

With the end of support for Windows XP, Microsoft is taking an above-average number of approaches to scare people away from continuing to use it.

It turns out Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) has one of those scary messages that seems exceptionally concerning. But when you look at it more closely, it's not really the big red flag that it sets out to be.

Apple computer has the ability to blacklist all internet sites except those that are approved. I see that Kaspersky has that ability in their Internet Security 2014, but it also has other tools that I do not need. I have been wondering why this ability is not available elsewhere. Many security packages are available, but all require blocking individual sites , which is a tedious task. Is it technically
difficult? I don't want to buy a Mac just for Nick Jr and Minecraft, but…

Besides not being a parent myself, there's a reason why I don't talk very often about parental control software and internet filters: I don't have much faith in them. And honestly, I don't believe that they really work.

I'll review a few of those reasons.

I'll also recommend one approach that, while it doesn't address all of my concerns, is relatively easy and free.

Are you wondering about the security implications of switching from https to http, or thinking you may be able to trace an email? Do touchscreen monitors seem brighter to you, or does online password storage seem insecure? Problems with your registry? All that and more in this Answercast from Ask Leo!

Listen Now!(Includes the raw transcript on which the articles below were based.)

Why are touch screen monitors so much more vivid?Touch screens are normal screens with touch detection built in. There's no
obvious reason it would be brighter, but I have a few thoughts.

Why can't online services tell me what my password is?It's for your own protection, and actually the result of fascinating mathematical wizardry. And if they can tell you your password? They're doing security wrong.

Whilst I agree that there are a lot of obnoxious idiots on the net I also think we need to be aware that the written word is much more open to misinterpretation than the spoken . There is no body language or voice inflection to help us to convey our meaning and so things can unwittingly appear a little harsh and unfriendly. Also because contact is at a distance questions are not always easily asked or answered. I once referred to a poser on a forum as "The OP". This caused considerable
offence because the poster wasn't aware that I simply meant Original Poster and assumed I was referring to them as an Old Person in a derogatory way.

Leo writes:

It's something I absolutely take into account when reading submitted questions, comments, and heck ... just email in general.

On the other hand, "You're full of crap" seemed pretty clear. :-)

James writes:

The other thing about the jerks online is that we allow the internet to be anonymous. Anyone can create an anonymous account and they think they can say whatever they want without repercussions.

No only do the newspapers filter out the "junk" letters to the editor, but it would also be rare for them to print an anonymous letter. They want to be able tie that letter back to a real person before printing it. That doesn't happen on the internet.

Leo writes:

While anonymity is a contributing factor, it's also an incredibly important thing. There's a tremendous amount of value brought to the world by the internet's ability to allow anonymity - just think of whistle-blowers in oppressed regimes and companies. Unfortunately like any ability it is a double edged sword and prone to abuse.

*** Leo's Blog

Why I don't do negative reviews

I was hoping to be able to recommend a particular utility in this or an upcoming newsletter. Unfortunately, my test failed (much to my frustration) and as a result, you won't hear about the utility.

When I explained that to a friend, they were somewhat surprised.

With few exceptions, I've elected to follow the approach taken by a long time Seattle restaurant critic: if you can't say something nice, say nothing at all.